Last night you hear PUP Leader Francis Fonseca make the dramatic announcement that he was stepping down and retiring from electoral politics. His announcement has triggered a sort of leadership sweepstakes in the PUP where and now the race has begun to see who will replace him. Today we spoke to three persons who might have an interest in the job. Former leader John Briceno told us that he is taking the weekend off with his family, and he will decide next week after the weekend break. Deputy Leader Julius Espat was not so blas. He told us he is considering it because, quote, "the party must have a leader that can unite, and a leader that is bi-lingual, one that can work and give his all, but," he continued, quote, "we cannot have leadership challenge where we come out fighting." He said he is, quote, "very close to making a decision on that" and consulting his allies countrywide. He says he has received calls of encouragement. As for the prospect of a Briceno bid for leadership, he says, quote, "we can't go backwards."
One other dark horse prospect for leader says he has also been getting calls. Kareem Musa, the son of Said Musa, and just elected to his first term says he is considering making a run for the leadership as well.
Those are three possible prospects for leader - but it's a very fluid situation, as the power vacuum at the leadership is expected to produce many possible alliances and intrigues in the coming weeks.
We'll keep following it, but in the meantime Francis Fonseca remains in the post.
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